Abstract: A perception system is adapted to receive visual data from a camera and includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. A subsampling module, an object detection module and an attention module are each selectively executable by the controller. The controller is configured to sample an input image from the visual data to generate a rescaled whole image frame, via the subsampling module. The controller is configured to extract feature data from the rescaled whole image frame, via the object detection module. A region of interest in the rescaled whole image frame is identified, based on an output of the attention module. The controller is configured to generate a first image based on the rescaled whole image frame and a second image based on the region of interest, the second image having a higher resolution than the first image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting a static electric charge from suspended particles in an atmosphere includes exposing a charge conductor to the suspended particles in the atmosphere and selectively providing a conductive path between the charge conductor and a terrestrial ground including a rechargeable energy storage device. Energy may be selectively transferred to another energy storage device.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy matrix having an alloy composition including aluminum at a concentration of between 0.5 wt. % to 2.5 wt. %, manganese at a concentration of between 0.3 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %, the concentration of manganese is greater than or equal to a value of [Mn] determined by a linear function [Mn]=x[Al], where x is at least 0.6 when [Al]=0.5 and is at least 0.14 when [Al]=2.5, zinc at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 3 wt. %, tin at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 3 wt. %, calcium at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 0.5%, rare earth metals at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 5 wt. %, and a balance of the alloy composition being magnesium.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a current regulator to obtain current commands from a controller based on a torque input and provide voltage commands and an inverter to use the voltage commands from the current regulator and direct current (DC) supplied by a battery to provide alternating current (AC). An electric traction motor provides drive power to a transmission of the vehicle based on injection of the AC from the inverter. A current observer obtains measured input current signals based on the AC for a current control cycle and provides predicted current signals for a next control cycle to the current regulator using a model. The current observer includes a controller to check output of the model against the measured input current signals. The current observer tunes parameters of the controller and the model used to generate the predicted current signals based on the measured input current signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating alignment parameters for processing data associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; receiving lidar data associated with the environment of the vehicle; processing, by a processor, the image data to determine data points associated with at least one pole identified within image data; processing, by the processor, the lidar data to determine data points associated with at least one pole identified within the lidar data; selectively storing the data points as data point pairs in a data buffer; iteratively processing, by the processor, the data point pairs with a plurality of perturbations to determine a transformation matrix; generating, by the processor, alignment data based on the transformation matrix; and processing future data based on the alignment parameters.

Abstract: A damping system includes a first magnetic damper pair mounted on a suspension system of a vehicle. The first magnetic damper pair includes a first magnet mounted on a first surface of a body of the vehicle and a second magnet mounted on a first moveable component of the suspension system coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. A sensor is mounted on the body of the vehicle or the wheel. A damping system control module is configured to receive, from the sensor, inputs indicative of a velocity and a displacement of the wheel relative to the body of the vehicle, calculate an amount of force to generate between the magnetic damper pair in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the wheel, and control supply of current to at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet to generate the calculated amount of force.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and a system and method for operating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. A disturbance force or yaw moment is received on the autonomous vehicle. The sensor measures a position of the autonomous vehicle within a lane of a road with respect to road boundaries and lane markings. The processor is configured to resist an effect of a disturbance force or yaw moment received on the autonomous vehicle. The processor minimizes a tracking error between a path of the autonomous vehicle and an initial track lane, wherein resisting the effect creates an inflection point in the path of the autonomous vehicle, establishes a final track lane at a closer of a lateral position of the inflection point and a lane center to the initial track lane, and tracks the path to the final track lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation. The system includes a controller circuit coupled to an IMU and an EPS, and programmed to: calculate, for a steered first axle, an axle-based pneumatic trail for using IMU measurements and EPS signals and estimate a saturation level as a function of a distance between the axle-based pneumatic trail and zero. The system estimates, for an unsteered second axle, an axle lateral force curve with respect to a slip angle of the second axle, and a saturation level as a function of when the axle lateral force curve with respect to the slip angle transitions from positive values to negative values. The saturation level of the first axle and the second axle are integrated. The system determines that the vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation as a function of the integrated saturation levels.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is configured to: transform vehicle dynamics data to corresponding roadway geometry data, calculate a rationalization value based on a difference between the roadway geometry data and map-based roadway geometry data, and determine whether to modify a vehicle state based on the rationalization value.

Abstract: A core assembly for a plate-and-fin heat exchanger includes a pair of core plates and a heat-absorbing member disposed within the passageway that secures the pair of core plates together. The heat-absorbing member defines a plurality of fins that each include one or more bending points, and each bending point creates two points of contact between a core plate and the heat-absorbing member.

Abstract: A low-pressure sand-casting system includes a sand-casting mold receiving a molten casting material to cast an automobile vehicle cylinder head. A port is created in the automobile vehicle cylinder head. A manifold port metal core assembly includes a metal core. A compressible material coating is applied on the manifold port core metal core.

Abstract: An optimal control strategy for a distributed low voltage system with unidirectional DC/DC converters is provided. DC/DC converters regulate high electrical voltages from high voltage battery modules and output regulated electrical currents to a low voltage battery. A control system differentially varies electrical currents input to the DC/DC converters to balance states of charge in high voltage battery modules, by: calculating sets of electrical currents that balance states of charge in high voltage battery modules based on values for a low voltage regulator electrical current, in advance to knowing a value for the low voltage regulator electrical current, interpolating the sets of electrical currents to be input to the DC/DC converters in response to receiving the value for low voltage regulator electrical current, and selecting an interpolated set of the electrical currents from the sets as input to the DC/DC converters in accordance with the value received.

Abstract: An energy absorbing headrest for a vehicle includes a base member, a frame pivotally mounted to the base member, and a biasing member mounted between the base member and the frame. The biasing member provides a biasing force to the frame. A release mechanism is mounted to the base member and retains the frame against the biasing force. The release mechanism selectively releases the frame upon receipt of a release signal.

Abstract: A system for torque control of an electric motor in a motor vehicle includes a power inverter that delivers a current to the electric motor to regulate the torque of the electric motor and a model predictive control module that sends a three-phase voltage to the power inverter to control the operation of the power inverter.

Abstract: A method of controlling a color display screen aboard a motor vehicle includes performing, via a host computer, a color calibration test of a user of the motor vehicle in which the user is subjected to a calibrated set of color-coded test information. The method includes receiving a color perception response of the user to the calibrated set of color-coded test information via the host computer. Additionally, the method includes mapping a reduced visual gamut of the user via the host computer using the color perception response, and then commanding adjustment of user-specific color settings of the motor vehicle using the reduced visual gamut to thereby accommodate a color perception deficiency of the user.

Abstract: A method of controlling access into a vehicle interior from a vehicle exterior using an access door includes generating a digital key signal via a mobile device in possession of a vehicle user. The method also includes receiving, via a virtual key control module (VKCM), the digital key signal from the mobile device and communicating a signal indicative of the received digital key signal to a vehicle controller. The method additionally includes detecting a presence of the vehicle user external to the vehicle within a predetermined proximity of the access door via an ultrasonic sensing arrangement. The method also includes communicating, via the ultrasonic sensing arrangement, the detected presence of the vehicle user to the vehicle controller. Furthermore, the method includes commanding, via the vehicle controller, a mechanism to release the access door in response to the received digital key signal and the detected presence of the vehicle user.